The famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop from "Pawn Stars" operates quite differently from what viewers see on TV. While up to 5,000 tourists visit the Las Vegas shop daily hoping to appear on the show or meet its stars, the reality is quite different from the perception.

The show actually films in a hidden set on the second floor of the building, not in the main shop. This change occurred after the first season when overwhelming crowds made filming in the actual store impossible. None of the show's famous cast members - Corey Harrison, Rick Harrison, or Austin "Chumlee" Russell - work in the public shop anymore.

Getting on the show isn't as simple as walking in with an interesting item. All customer roles are pre-cast through formal auditions, and the "negotiations" viewers see are choreographed with prices agreed upon in advance. Even the stars' expert knowledge is briefed to them before filming.

While it's technically possible to appear as a background extra during filming, these opportunities are rare and extras are instructed not to interact with the cast. The filming schedule is kept confidential, and the main shop primarily operates as a tourist attraction and gift shop rather than a traditional pawn business.

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